Is the global fight against landmines under threat?ーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Treaty): An international treaty signed in 1997 that prohibits the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines.
• Landmines: Explosive devices designed to detonate when a person steps on them or triggers a tripwire. They are indiscriminate and pose a long-term threat to civilians.
• Unexploded Ordnance (UXO): Explosive weapons that have been fired but have not detonated.
• Mine Clearance: The process of detecting, excavating, and disposing of landmines and UXO.
• Self-Defense: The right of a nation to protect itself from external threats.
• Ethical Dilemma: A situation where a difficult choice has to be made between two or more options, neither of which is acceptable from an ethical standpoint.

Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Treaty

International representatives convened in Geneva, Switzerland, for the annual meeting of states parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, also known as the Ottawa Treaty. This convention, signed in 1997, aims to prohibit the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. The meeting served as a platform to review the global situation regarding landmines, including the number of mines remaining in stockpiles, ongoing usage, and the progress of clearance efforts.

The Scale of the Landmine Problem

The severity of the landmine issue is underscored by statistics from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, a Nobel Prize-winning NGO. In the past year alone, landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) were responsible for the deaths or injuries of over 6,200 people. Anti-personnel mines are indiscriminate, posing a threat to both soldiers and civilians, and remain dangerous indefinitely until triggered. Decades after conflicts end, landmines continue to claim victims in former conflict zones worldwide.

Case Study: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the most heavily mined countries globally, exemplifies the enduring threat of landmines. An estimated three million devices were laid during its civil war over 30 years ago. Currently, approximately 180,000 landmines are believed to remain, primarily in rural areas. The tragic incident of 19-year-old Mehmed, who was killed by a landmine just 50 meters from his home while tending to his family's goats, highlights the ongoing danger. Mehmed was aware of the mines but was caught off guard when an animal triggered one. This incident, occurring 30 years after the war, tragically illustrates the continued loss of life, particularly among children, and the pervasive fear that landmines instill.

Challenges in Mine Clearance

Mine clearance is a painstaking and labor-intensive process. Local professionals in Bosnia and Herzegovina reported that clearing just 10 square meters of land can take an entire day. In mountainous regions, civilians sometimes undertake this dangerous work themselves. The personal experience of visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina provided a visceral understanding of the horror associated with landmines.

Setbacks to the Ottawa Treaty

Despite decades of progress in banning landmines, recent developments indicate a reversal. Several countries, including the Baltic states, Poland, and Finland, have announced their withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty. These nations share a common border with Russia or its ally Belarus and have a history of invasion by the former Soviet Union. With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, these countries fear they may be the next targets.

Poland's Security Concerns and Actions

Tensions in Poland escalated in September when Russian drones violated its airspace near the capital, Warsaw. During a visit to the border region with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad in October, the presence of numerous anti-tank barriers was observed. Poland also plans to establish minefields along its border. This infrastructure development is seen as a measure to demonstrate readiness for modern conflicts, a lesson learned from the situation in Ukraine. Poland's stance is to prevent any foreign soldiers from entering its territory.

Alarm Bells and Ethical Dilemmas

The recent withdrawals and the potential for increased landmine use have raised significant alarm bells. The final report of the meeting in Geneva is expected to express concern over these developments. The International Campaign to Ban Landmines echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that while every country has the right to self-defense, the methods chosen must be strategic and ensure the long-term security of their populations. A public opinion survey in Poland revealed that over half of respondents oppose laying landmines along the border, highlighting the ethical dilemma faced by the country: balancing security needs with the potential harm to civilians.

The Path Forward: Reaffirming Commitment

The situation is particularly challenging following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine itself has indicated a potential withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty, citing the need for landmines for self-defense. While the right to self-protection is undeniable, landmines impose a severe burden on civilians. In Japan, they are referred to as the "devil's weapon." To prevent a "snowball effect" of countries abandoning the treaty, a reaffirmation of commitment to a world without landmines is crucial. This ultimate goal can only be achieved when acts of aggression cease.